Aberdeen 1 - 0 Rangers

All 23 players who took part in last Saturday's Second XI Cup third round tie at Pittodrie Stadium deserved a medal for their efforts in atrocious conditions. I though the young Dons were a shade better than Rangers A and deserved their 1-0 win which takes them into an away semi-final meeting with Queen of the South or Hearts.
Both teams seemed to play better against the wind and rain. The Pittodrie colts were badly in need of a game, for they had been idle since January 2, but the conditions did not really lend themselves t the high standard of football they have been producing over the past month or two. Nevertheless the young Dons always looked the more skillful side.
John Craig and Ian Taylor played exceptionally well in midfield, and it was Ian, playing only his second game for the reserves this season, who scored the tie-winning goal in the 37th minute, passing to George Buchan and running into position to net his low cross.
Jim Forrest was tried in midfield in an effort to make use of the gaps which developed in an earlier League meeting with Rangers A, but the visitors had made several changes and he did not get the opportunities to exploit which we thought might materialise.
Our whole defence played well and Ian Hair, fit again, has a job on his hands to displace Willie Miller at centre half. George Buchan put in a lot of effort as our attack leader and, though the ball didn't run kindly for Ian Purdie, he still has a flair for the unexpected shot at goal.
Bobby Street was quieter than usual, but he has just got over a bad bout of flu.

Source: Teddy Scott's Reserve Report, Match Programme 27th January 1973